Electric switch



NOV. 4, 1930. J, MEUER 7 1,780,434

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 1. 1929 INVEN TOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGEJ. MEUER, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO CUTLER-HAMMER, INCL,

0F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed April 1,

' involving the use of a minimum numberof parts and a minimum amount of material. v

Another object is to provide a novel push button switch the frame and movable parts of which may be assembled as a unit.

Another object is to provide a novel lamp socket of the all-porcelain type having my improved switch mechanism applied thereto.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention which will now be described, it being understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the porcelain body of a lamp socket having my improved switch mechanism applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a. bottom plan view of thelamp socket shown in Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is a vertical. sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 1, with the lamp socket cap shown in position. i

Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cap shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the frame plate and the movable parts of the switch, the several parts being shown in separated relation.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, showing one manner of assembling the switch contactor with respect to the frame plate, the other elements of the switch being omitted for purposes of illus- 1929. Serial No. 351,555.

tration, the section through the frame plate being taken on the line 7-? of Fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the switch frame plate.

Fig. 8 is a top plan View of the blank from which the frame plate is formed.

Fig. 9 1s a top plan view of the insulating disk which provides a closure for the switch chamber. A

Fig. 10 illustrates, in top planand side elevation respectively, one of the stationary contacts of the switch. V

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the resilient conducting member which is arranged to electrically connect oneof the switch contacts and one of the cap terminals.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sec 13101131 view of certain parts shown in Figs.

2 and 4, and I p Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the eyelet or spring guide shown in Figs. 2 4

Referring to the drawingg'the.numeral 15 designates the switch frame pla;e,. and as shown said frame plate preferably comprises a substantially fiat metallic stamping, the upper face of which is longitudinally grooved, as best shown at 16, 17 in Figs. 6 and 8. Said grooving is preferably effected by depressing the material of the blank, shown at 15 m Fig. 8*, along the dotted, lines 16*, 17,thus bringing the side walls 18 of a perforation in the blank 15 into' closer relationship to each other to provide the slot 18 (Fig. 6) of predetermined width. As shown, the slot 18 is in alinement with the grooves 16, 17; the latter forming slide bearing surfaces for cooperation with the lower edge portions 19 and 20 of a flat metal punching 21 forming the actuating member of the switch. Extending below the edges 19, 20 of member21 is a shouldered projection 22 which is adapted to engage the edge portions 16 and 17 of grooves 16, 17 to limit the movements of said actuating member in opposite directions, respectively.

On opposite sides of the slot 18 (and preferably alined at a point corresponding to the mid-1ength of the slot) is a pair of notches or perforat1ons 23 and 24 in the frame plate,

the adjacent walls of said notches being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the arms 25, 26 of a substantially U-shaped contact element 27, but greater than the distance between the inwardly extending end portions 26 of said arms. As shown, the contact element 27 consists of a flat metal punching, the same being preferably provided with an integral abutment 23 In assembling the movable switch parts with respect to the frame plate, the actuating member 21 may be inserted within the alined grooves 16, 17, and at one of its e1;- treme positions with respect to the frame plate 15. Thereupon the contact element 27 is tilted laterally in either direction to providefor ready insertion of one of the end portions 25 or 26 into one or the other of the perforations or notches 23, 2% (as best illustrated in Fig. 7), whereupon the element 27 is moved to upright position whereby said end portions 25, 26' are hooked against the lower face of the frame plate 15.

Element 27 is then moved to one of its extremepositions (as limited by the side walls 23 241 of perforations 23, 24) to permit telescopic engagement of one end of a spiral compression spring 29 with the abutment 28 on element 27', whereupon said spring may be slightly compressed to permit telescopic engagement of the other end thereof with an abutment 30, which is integral with the actuating member 21. (shown in detail in Fig. 13\ is preferably interposed between the last mentioned end of spring 29 and abutment 30 to facilitate operation of the switch,-this expedient being commonly employed in this art.

The parts thus assembled form a simple and inexpensive switch unit, and it will be noted that frame plate 15 is provided with a tapped opening 32 to provide for attachment of said switch unit to a suitable support by means of asingle screw or bolt. I e

Said support as shown may comprise the bottom wall 33of a chamber 34 at the upper end. of the porcelain socket body 35, said bottom wall preferably being recessed to conforin approximately to the contour of the frame plate 15 and to accommodate the depressed or grooved portions 16, 17 of the latter.

The other end of the body 35 is. recessed, as indicated at 36, to accommodate the screw shell contact 37, the inner end of said shell contact being cut awayto accommodate the substantially rectangular projection 38 which extends diametrically across a portion of the end wall of said recess 36. Said screw shell contact 37' is further cut away to accommodate a relatively slightprojection 39 (best illustrated in Figs. 2 and surrounding a perforation or passage 40 which ex tends through the diaphragm or wall lql between the recesses or chambers island 36.

As shown, an eyelet 31 Penetrating said passage 40 is a a screw 42, the shank of which takes into the tapped opening 32 in frame plate 15 to secure the latter in position, and the head of which engages an insulating plate or segment l3 to clamp the screw shell contact 37 within its recess 36. In this manner the frame plate 15 and the parts carried thereby are normally insulated from the screw shell contact 37.

Preferably located diametrically opposite to the passage 40 in the wall or diaphragm all is another passage 44 through which extends a relatively long screw 45, the shank of which projects aconsiderable distance above the upper end of the body 35 and takes into a tapped opening 46 in a terminal plate Q7. 'ierminal plate 47 is secured to the porcelain cap 4:8 in any suitable manner, as by means of the screw 49, said terminal plate being provided with an oiltset portion 50 which tapped to receive the usual binding screw 51. A metallic plate or segment 52 is preferably interposed between the head of screw and shell contact 37' to insure a good electrical connection therebetween and to provide for properly clamping the shell contact in position. r

A thin insulating cylinder 45 surrounds the screw 45 for a portion of its length to insure against accidental arcing or short circuiting between the same and the switch parts. I

The stationary contacts 53 and 5st mounted upon suitable raised portions or PIOJGCtiOHS and 56 at one end of the chain ber 34, said contacts having perforated base portions 53 and 54 adapted to be clamped to said raised portions 55 and 56 by means of nuts 57 and 58 which cooperate with the shanks of screws 59 and 60, respectively, the heads of said screws being located within suitable countersunk portions of the end wall of recess 36.

The terinii'ial portion 61 of the center cont 62 is clamped in place by the head of ew 60, thus providing an electrical connection between said center Contact and the stationary switch contact 53. The perforated ase portion 63 of a resilient conducting member 64 is likewise clamped between the nut 57 and the base of contact 54, said resilient member projecting above the upper end of body 35 to yieldably engage the terniinal plate 65 on cap 48, when the latter is attached to the body 35. Terminal plate 65 is secured to cap 48, as by means of a screw 63, and said plate is provided with an oil"- set portion 6 carrying the usual terminal screw 68.

Referring again to the actuating member 21, it will be noted that the end portions 69 and 70 thereof have molded thereon, or otherwise suitably attached thereto, the buttons 71 and 72, respectively. Moreover, the side wall of recess 34 is provided with diametri- LU P lit)

cally opposed notches or grooves 73 and 74 extending downwardly from the upper edgeof body member 35; said grooves cooperating with the buttons 71 and 7 2 to assist in guiding the actuating member 21, so that the latter will always be maintained in a relation perpendicular to the frame plate 15.

As will be apparent, the stationary contacts 53 and 54 may be formed from identical blanks; and the same are preferably provided with inwardly struck lugs 53 and 54 to positively limit the movement of contact element 15 into engagement with said stationary contacts.

",llhe body member 35 is provided at its upper end with a shallow ledge 75 against which thin insulating disk or plate 76 is adapted to seat, said disk having a notch 77 to accommodate the upright portion of re silient member 64. Said disk is also provided with an opening or perforation 78 to receive the shank of screw45 with a fairly tight fit, whereby the latter is retained against accidental displacement prior to attachment of the cap 48 to the body member 35 thereby.

Inasmuch as the cap and body member are held together by the single screw 45, I prefcrably provide'upon the. former integral downwardly extending lugs 79 and 80 which adapted to enter the grooves 73 and 74 in the body member to prevent relative rotary movement of said part-s; said lugs 7 9 and 80 also acting as additional guide surfaces for the push buttons 71 and 72 to prevent accidental displacement of the actuating element 21 from the frame.

Assuming closure of the switch as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, circuit may be traced from the line wire terminal plate 47, by screw 45 to screw shell contact 37, and through a lamp or other translating device (not shown) to the center contact, thence by screw 60 to switch contact 53, through contact element 27jto switch contact 54 and by conducting member 64 to the other line wire terminal plate 65.

\Vhile I prefer to use cap and body mem-f bers of porcelain, it is to be understood that other suitable insulating material may be employed if desired.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: r

1. In an electric switch, in combination, a metallic frame plate, a flat punched sheet metal contactor of substantially Ushape, the arms of said contactor having end portions extending toward each other, said frame plate having openings the adjacent walls of which are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between said end portions but less than the distance between said arms, whereby said contactor may be pivotally-interlocked with said plate by laterally tilting the former with respect to the latter, an actuator slidably engaging said frame plate,

and spring means interposed betweensaid actuatorand said contactor to effect snap movement of said contactor upon each movement of said actuator.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a substantially flat frame plate formed of stamped sheet metal, a flat punched sheet metal contactor of substantially U-shape, the open end of said contactor having portions extending. toward each other, saidv frame plate having openings the adjacent walls of which are spaced apart a distance less than thedistance between the arms of said contactor but greater than the distance between the end portions of the latter, whereby said contactor may be assembled with said frame plate by initial tilting of the former with respect to the latter, said frame plate also having a longitudinal groove intermediate said opening an actuator slidable within said groove and projecting from opposite sides of said contactor, and spring means interposed between said actuator and said contactor for maintaining said parts in assembled relation to each other and to said frame plate.

3. In an electric switch, in combination, a substantially flat frame plate formed of stamped sheet metal, a flat punched sheet metal contactor of substantially U-shape, the open end of said contactor having portions extending toward each other, said frame plate having openings the adjacent walls of which are spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the arms of said contactor but greater than the distance between the end portions of the latter, whereby said contactor may be assembled with said frame plate by initial tilting of the former with respect to the latter, said frame plate also having a longitudinal groove intermediate said openings, an, actuator slidable within said groove and projecting from opposite sides of said contactor, and spring means interposed betweensaid actuator and said contactor for maintaining said parts in assembled relation to eachother and to said frame plate and for effecting snap movement ofsaid contactor toextreme positions alternately upon opposite movements of the actuator respectively.

'4. In a push-button switch, the combination with a substantially flat frame plate of stamped sheet metal, the upper surface of said plate being provided with a straight groove, an actuating member comprising a flat metallic punching slidable back and forth within said groove, said plate having alined notches or openings arranged on opposite sides of said groove, a contactor comprising a fiat punched sheet metal member of substantially U-shape, the arms of said U-shaped member having end portions extending toward but spaced from each other whereby said U-shaped member may be as sembled with said plate by initial lateral tilting of the former with respect to the latter and by thereafter righting said member to provide for pivotal engagement of the aforementioned end portions thereof with the lower surface of said plate, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said actuating member and said Ushaped member to effect snap movement of the latter in one direction to an extreme position upon a given movement of the former in the opposite direction.

5. In a push button switch, the combination with a substantially flat frame plate of stamped sheet metal, the upper surface of said plate being provided with a straight groove, an actuating member comprising a flat metallic punching slida-ble back and forth within said groove, saidplate and said member having cooperating parts to limit the sliding movement of the latter, said plate having alined notches or openings arranged on opposite sides of said groove, a contactor comprising a flat punched sheet metal member of substantially u shape, the arms of said U-shaped member having end portions extending toward but spaced from each other whereby said U-shaped member may be assembled with said plate by initial lateral tilting of the former with respect to-the latter and by thereafter righting said member to provide for pivotal engagement of the aforementioned end portions thereof with the lower surface of said plate, and a coiled compression spring interposed between said actuating member and said U- shaped member to effect snap movement of the latter in one direction to an extreme position upon a given movement of the former in the opposite direction.

In a push-button switch, the combination with a substantially flat frame plate of stamped sheet metal, the upper surface of said plate being provided with a straight groove, an actuating member comprising a flat metallic punching slidable back and forth within said groove, said plate having a slot in a-linement with said groove and said member having a shouldered portion extendingmto said slot and below said groove to positively limit the sliding movement of said member, said plate having alined notches or openings arranged on opposite sides of said groove, a contactor comprising a flat punched sheet metal member of substantially U-shape, the arms of said U-shaped member having end portions extending toward but spaced from each other whereby said U-shaped member be assembled with said plate by initial lateral tilting of the former with respect to the latter and by thereafter righting said member'to provide for pivotal engagement of the afore mentioned end portions thereof with the low er surface of said plate, integral abutments on said actuating member and said U-shaped member, and a freely flexible compression spring interposed between said abutments to effect snap movements of said U-shaped member in opposite directions upon opposite movements of said actuating member.

7. In an electric switch, in combination, a metallic frame plate, a flat punched sheet metal contactor of substantially U-shape, the arms of said contactor having end portions extending toward each other, said frame plate having openings adjacent walls of which are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between said end portions but less than the distance between said arms, whereby said contactor may be pivotally interlocked with said plate by laterally tilting the former with respect to the latter, an actuator slidably engaging said frame plate, spring means interposed between said actuator and said contctor to effect snap movement of said contactor upon each movement of said actuator, an insulating base having a recess the walls of which substantially conform to the contour of said frame plate, and a single fastening element for securing said frame plate to said base. i

8. In an electric switch, in combination. a frame plate of stamped .sheet metal, said frame plate having a fiat slotted portion intermediate the ends thereof and downwardly offset grooves at each end of said slot and in alinement with the latter, the bottom surface of each of said grooves being of the same width as said slot and the side walls of said grooves flaring outwardly from the bottom surfaces thereof respectively, a flat punched sheet metal contact element of substantially U shape, the open end of said U-shaped eleient having portions extending toward each other, said frame plate havin openings alined with each other on opposite sides of said slot, the adjacent walls of said openings being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the arms of said U-shaped element but greater than the distance between the end portions of the latter, whereby said U-shaped element maybe assembled with said frame plate by initial tilting of the former with respect to the latter, an actuator coniprising a flat punched sheet metal member slidable within said grooves, a projection on said actuator engageahle with the end walls of said slot to limit the sliding movement of said actuator, and spring means interposed between said actuator and, said U-shaped element to effect snap movements of the latter to opposite extreme positions upon given movements of said actuator.

9. In an electric switch, in combination, a frame plate of stamped sheet metal, said frame plate having a flat slotted portion intermediate the ends thereof and downwardly offset grooves at each end of said slot and in alinement with the latter, the bottom surface of each of said grooves being of the same width as said slot and the side walls of said grooves flaring outwardly from the bottom surfaces thereof respectively, a flat punched shee't metal contact element of substantially U-shape, the open end of said U-shaped ele ment having portions extending toward each other, said frame plate having openings alined with each other on. opposite sides of said slot, the adjacent walls of said openings being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the arms of said U- shaped element but greater than the distance between the end portions of the latter, whereby said U-shaped element may be assembled with said frame plate by initial tilting of the former with respect to the latter, an actuator comprising a flat punched sheet metal member slidable within said grooves, a projection on said actuator engageable with the end walls of said slot to limit the sliding movement of said actuator, integral abutments on said actuator and said Ushaped member, spring means interposed between said abutments to effect snap movements of said U-shaped element upon movement of said actuator in opposite directions respectively, said frame plate having a single tapped opening therein, an insulating base having a recess to accommodate said frame plate, and ascrew penetrating said base and engaging said tapped opening to rigidly secure said frame plate in position.

10. In an electric switch, in combination, a frame plate of stamped sheet metal, said frame plate having a flat slotted portion intermediate the ends thereof and downwardly offset grooves at each end of said slot and in alinement with the latter, the bottom surface of each of said grooves being of the same width as said slot and the side walls of said grooves flaring outwardly from the bottom surfaces thereof respectively, a flat punched sheet metal contact element of substantially U-shape, the open end of said U-shaped element having portions extending toward each other, said frame plate having openings alined with each other 011 opposite sides of said slot, the adjacent walls of said openings being spaced apart a distance less than the distance between the end portions of said U-shaped element, whereby said U- shaped element may be assembled with said frame plate by initial tilting of the former with respect to the latter, an actuator comprising a flat punched sheet metal member slidable within said grooves, a projection on said actuator engageable with the end walls of said slot to limit the sliding movement of said actuator, integral abutments on said actuator and said U-shaped member, spring means interposed between saidabutments to effect snap movements of said U-shaped ele ment upon movement of said actuator in opposite directions respectively, said frame plate having a single tapped opening therein,

an insulating base having a recess to accommodate said frame plate, a screw penetrating said base and engaging said tapped opening to rigidly secure said frame plate in position, a pair of stationary contacts at one side of said recess to be bridged by said U-shaped element in one extreme position of the latter, a center lamp contact electrically connected with one of said stationary contacts, and a resilient conducting member electrically connected with the other of said stationary contacts and projecting outwardly beyond said recess.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with an insulating body having a recess at one end thereof, switch mecha nism located within said recess and having push button operating means projecting laterally therefrom, said mechanism comprising an oscillatable contactor and a pair of stationary contacts to be bridged thereby, said body also having a recess at the other end thereof, a center lamp contact located within said last mentioned recess, a permanent electrical connection between said center lamp contact and one of said stationary contacts, and a resilient conducting member electrically connected with the other of said stationary contacts, said conducting member having an upright portion extending outwardly from said recess and a portion integral with said upright portion and extending therefrom at an angle greater than ninety degrees.

12. As an article of manufacture, a metallic frame plate for electric switches of the push button type, said frame plate having a flat slotted portion intermediate the ends thereof, and downwardly ofiset grooves at each end of said slot and in alinement with the latter, the bottom surface of each of said grooves being of the same width as said slot and the side walls of said grooves flaring outwardly from the bottom surfaces thereof respectively.

13. As an article of manufacture, a metallic frame plate for electric snap switches of the push button type, said frame plate in blank form having an intermediate longitudinal slot of predetermined width, said plate having grooves depressed therein at opposite ends of said slot and in alinement with the latter whereby the width of said slot is reduced, the sides of said slot being located in the plane of the main body of said plate, and said plate having a pair of notches or openings alined with each other and lo- 'cated on opposite sides of said slot, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub-, scribed my name.

GEORGE J. MEUER. 

